I had high hopes for this one. In the end, it was fine. I had hoped for more with this but it just didn't deliver.

This was a fun book. Olivia takes off for a month long holiday in Australia to watch her sister get married. The sparks fly instantly between her Jarrah. Watching their journey to the Outback and back again kept me hooked.

They had some large obstacles to overcome to get their happily ever after. I cried a few times reading this. Highly recommend it!

3-3.5 stars, I can't decide-

This is my first Jezz de Silva book. While I found the story entertaining, it was a bit hard to get into at first, mainly because I was a bit overwhelmed by the Harper family. There were so many of them I didn't know who's who, and I wonder if it would be easier had I read the first book first. Anyway, once I got over it, it was easier to enjoy the story. I love the slowburn romance between Jarrah and Olivia, and I really love the Harper family dynamics and the whole town of Baroona. I'm especially intrigued by the vibe between Maddie and Jai, and I'll be keeping an eye out for their book.

This slow-burn story had chemistry from the get-go. Olivia is in Australia for her sister’s wedding, and she’s picked up by her almost-brother-in-law’s brother, Jarrah. Their sparks fly off the page and the emotional connection between them was fantastically built.

Olivia’s reluctance to jump into a fling with Jerrah made me love her common-sense approach. Jerrah’s self-control around Olivia was strong on the outside, but he warred with himself on the inside – his inner conflict was a great display of perfectly balanced writing.

I think what really made me love this story, though, was the bits of reality dropped in. Many times throughout the novel, Jerrah would remind himself of how difficult like in the bush was. The sweat, dust, flies, and small-town living, he admitted, could easily be overlooked on vacation. But for everyday life? He knew it was hard. He made Olivia understand that it was hard, and she didn’t try to sugarcoat the realities that faced her if she decided to stay.

The only thing I didn’t love about the story was the amount of characters. It took me a long while to realize who was who. So many names (that were foreign to me) were thrown at me that I quickly blanked them out, deciding early on to ignore the cast and focus only on Jerrah and Olivia. After a few chapters, though, I could no longer push them to the back burner, and had to concentrate a bit harder on who said what when.

I didn’t read the first in this series, and the only thing I think I was missing was the real relationship between the sisters. Their backstory is told quite well, but I didn’t understand when Abi (Olivia’s sister) “broke up” with her. I didn’t see how that freed Olivia to live her own life, as Abi intended it to. But this was easy for me ignore in the scope of the novel; I suspect it might’ve been more poignant if I had read the first book.

Jezz de Silva’s writing is smooth and fast-paced, but he can slow it down when it matters. He draws out the moments between the hero and heroine, and I can’t wait to see what he writes next.

reviewed by Nancy

4.5 Stars for the descriptions alone, they are just magical! I enjoyed this trip into the Australian outback. The setting is authentic and the large and diverse Harper family, as well as the townspeople of Baroona are just off-the-page realistic. The author is Australian and writes with a believable voice that is easy to understand. This is my first time reading her work but it won't be my last.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read this story.

Doctor Olivia Williams has arrived from Los Angeles for her sister's wedding, but she never imagined her month-long adventure to celebrate it would have her spending time with Jarrah Harper, the best man for the wedding. The last thing she needs to do is fall in love, not when she has so much to look forward to on returning home where she will start the job of a lifetime, but sometimes life doesn't go according to plan. Will either be willing to make the biggest sacrifice of their lives to be together, or will they lose their chance at happy ever after because neither are willing to compromise?

Having absolutely loved the first book of this series, I couldn't wait to read more about the Harper family and see each of the siblings get their own happy ever after, and I've got to say that this second book of the series was just as good as the first. Because not only was it very engaging due to the main characters back stories and the tough obstacles they face to be together, but because the secondary characters bring someone extra special to this story. And really, the one secondary character that stood out for me was Helen who was amusing and brilliant in her attempts to get the heroine to stay. Will Olivia take a chance on Jarrah? Will she be willing to give up everything for him or will Jarrah give up everything for her?

Both the main characters were compelling and I loved their back stories and their growing relationship, as Olivia is finally able to live her life the way she wants to live it now that her sister is healthy and cancer-free and found the man she loves. Furthermore, the heroine has worked hard for everything she's achieved, and I liked that she didn't make decisions based on her strong feelings for Jarrah without thinking about all that she would be giving up. I also liked how resilient and courageous she was in her past in dealing with her sister's cancer and being there for her every step of the way through the tough times. It wasn't easy for her, but the end result was worth it all. While the hero, he's confident, hard-working, will do anything for those he loves and I loved that he didn't make things hard for the heroine when it came crunch time in their relationship. I also liked how determined the hero was to make her holiday fun and exciting and give her enough memories for the future.

Overall, this author has delivered a wonderful read in this book where the chemistry was strong between this couple; the romance was delightful and showed how right these two are for each other; and the ending had me loving the sacrifice one of the main characters was willing to make to be with the one they loved. However, it was epilogue that wrapped this story up perfectly, because of the interaction between Olivia and Helen and then the surprise the hero has for the heroine that had me glad these two overcame the obstacles they faced to be together. I would recommend A Choice of Fate by Jezz De Silva, if you enjoy the opposites attract trope, holiday romances or books by authors Alisha Rai, Tessa Dare, Lucy Parker and Ruthie Knox.

A Choice of Fate by Jezz de Silva is the second story in his Outback Hearts series, set in Australia and featuring a diverse family of adopted siblings. This particular romance is about two career oriented people whose devotion to their families has left them with little time for relationships – until they are thrust into a family wedding and find themselves caught up in a whirlwind affair with long term consequences.

Dr. Olivia Williams is ready to see her sister Abi get married to the man of her dreams in the Australian outback. She's in need of a vacation too, before starting her new dream job back in L.A. A vacation fling would be even nicer – except that the one man she's attracted to is none other than the best man for the wedding, and brother to her soon to be brother-in-law.

Jarrah Harper, high priced and successful attorney has never forgotten his indigenous roots, or the family that adopted him. Protecting the family's ranch land in Wingarra is his top priority, as is helping out his family in any way, including being the best man for his brother Ryder's wedding. Helping see the maid of honor to the family home is the least he can do. Olivia is smart, insightful and super sexy – and definitely off limits. Yet somehow, the warm and comforting atmosphere of home leads both Olivia and Jarrah to throw caution to the winds and indulge in a steamy, no strings attached affair. Olivia has every intention of returning to L.A for her new job, and Jarrah has cases awaiting his attention. Can a vacation romance lead to something more?

I enjoyed this trip into the Australian outback! The setting is authentic and I really enjoy reading about the large and diverse Harper family, as well as the townspeople of Baroona. The author is Australian and writes with a believable voice.

The romance between Olivia and Jarrah moves at a slow pace to start as while they are both attracted to each other, they know that getting involved is not the best plan. Still they can't resist their attraction to each other for long. Their eventual love scenes are sexy and emotional. There is a tree close to Wingarra that has the reputation for giving psychic visions, which takes the story on a bit of a supernatural bent, though it's definitely a contemporary romance.

Sometimes the story drags a bit with the tendency to over dramatize the characters internal musings. Also, the cover model does not reflect Jarrah's appearance as described in the story as an indigenous Australian. But overall, it's an enjoyable, entertaining, and sexy story with an emphasis on the importance of family. The next story in the series looks to feature one of Jarrah's sisters and an old 'frenemy' of the family. I'm looking forward to continuing the series!

This review has been posted at Harlequin Junkie and feedback updated with the link. It has been posted at sale sites and Goodreads.

Jarrah is a lawyer. Olivia is a doctor. Olivia has just finished medical school. But Olivia is taking a thirty day vacation in Australia. Olivia’s sister Abi is getting married after getting through cancer. Olivia will be there to spend some time with Abi and also be there for her wedding. Olivia and Abi lost their parents when they were teens. Liv gave up things so Abi could do well and Olivia could take care of her. Abi is marrying Ryder and Jarrah is her brother. Olivia is attracted to Jarrah but he is very cautious as he is a playboy. Jarrah and Olivia start a relationship believing it was just a fling and Olivia won’t do anything to jeopardise her job where she will be making a hefty paycheck. No more penny pinching.
I liked this book. It choked me up at times. I highly advise you read the books of this series at the very least it will help you keep family members straight. I really loved the ending. This was an easy read. I loved the interaction between Olivia and Jarrah I felt like I was right there with everyone. I loved the Harper family. But at times this was a little confusing and dragged for me. I also felt like there was too many characters. I loved how Jarrah charged as their relationship grew. The ending was predictable. But I loved the ins and outs of this and I recommend.

This is my first time in reading this author with the story picking my attention a bit. For some reason a doctor and lawyer intrigued me this time and at a fabulous place Down Under. Op to get away with a promising romance -yeah. They cross paths and the fun begins with it also being a time when her sister will be getting married. What Jarrah hides beneath slowly comes out under Olivia's touch as a relationship builds. You sink further in as they grow with their story with us getting caught up in it. I did enjoy the writing style and the ride this author gives as he shows how two can grow.

This was a slow burn love at first sight romance in the great Australian outback. Sounds like an oxy-moron, I know but it's slow burn because their physical relationship is a slow build up. The love at first sight was their emotional connection, that you feel from page one and doesn't let up.

Quick Summary:
Olivia is in Austrialia for her big sister's wedding. Having just completed her residency and lined up her dream job in California, Olivia plans to spend as much time as she can with her sister before she leaves her a world away and starts her own exciting new career as a doctor in a top big city hospital.

But there is something magical about Wingarra that sinks bone deep for Olivia. And a certain soon-to-be brother in law too.

Jarrah is a successful and sought after lawyer now, not that trouble making teen desperate to shake the outback dust off. He's acheived everything he wanted, the money, the prestige and all the perks but he's still feeling restless.

These two are sure they know what they want and where their going but meeting the perfect person at the worst time, causes the most bittersweet angst.

What I liked:
Slow burn can be a drag if it's too slow. ACoF had a consistant pacing to the story. I enjoyed it because we get both Olivia and Jarrah's POVs and so you really get inside their heads. You know why they do what they do and feel what they feel. It was both sweet and sensual and I felt the growth they went through throughout, rather than just reading about.

I loved Jarrah's family. There is a lot of them and at times I had a hard time keeping them all straight in my head, but I still had a great time reading about them. I'm intrigued by a few of them and can't wait to find out how the Wishing Tree comes into play for each of them.

Memorable Moments:
The Wishing Tree - The way the author brings this place to life and infuses it with magic, it was goose-bump inducing. I loved how poignant the moments are and how sacred the feelings are for each individual that comes to the Wishing Tree. It's definitely something special.

Would I recommend?
If you like learning new landscapes, have a thing for Aussie accents and love strong family ties, read this book. If you like intense emotional connections and a build up to the smexy times, jump right in. This is part of a series, but I didnt' feel it impacted my enjoyment, having not read the first book, so I'd say it can be read as a stand alone.

A Choice of Fate by Jezz de Silva is the story of Doctor Olivia Williams and Jarrah Harper.
Olivia has made sure her sister has what she needs and placed herself in second place after the death of their parents. But her sister is now getting married to a man in Australia and Olivia has found a wonderful job to start her career. Olivia has taken a month off before starting that job to go to Australia and help her sister with her wedding. Jarrah has worked to hard to get ahead in life and get the expensive things to fill his life with. But with Olivia she doesn't seem to be all that taken with all that he has. Olivia and Jarrah are both at a point in their life where things are about to change and them adding to that change by having a relationship might be more than they both can handle. But their feelings are growing and maybe life is worth changing from what you thought you wanted to something that you really want.
Enjoyed their story.

Very enjoyable book! The writing was excellent with nice vivid detail that made the Australian Outback come to life for me. Olivia and Jarrah are awesome characters and the author gave me enough detail to feel like I really knew them. I really enjoyed how they both changed how they saw the world and what they deemed as important as their relationship grew. Overall a very good read and one I would definitely recommend to everyone.

A Choice of Fate by Jezz de Silva was an amazing sequel to the first book in the Outback Hearts series
A Choice of Fate follows on directly from Against All Odds and revolves around Abigail’s sister, Olivia and Ryder’s brother, Jarrah.

Jezz de Silva has a lovely writing style that is completely addictive and will keep you turning the pages. His world building is extremely realistic; he has the ability to place the reader firmly in the middle of the Australian outback without relying on caricatures or stereotypes. Jezz touched on the matter of racism in the community, but did so without having to rely on trite politically correct arguments and instead it was portrayed as it would naturally occur and it was interesting to see it play out.

In this book, we get to be a part of Abigail and Ryder’s wedding, and I would like to add that you may need tissues. It was truly beautiful, especially after reading about what they had to go through in book one, to see this happy ending was a truly emotional event. Speaking of emotional segments, you want to keep the tissues for the ending. It is a happy one, but I shed a few tears. Ok, I’ll admit to being a bit of a teary wuss, but I found it truly heart-warming.

A Choice of Fate can be read as a standalone novel, but I’d seriously recommend you read book one first. I think without reading book one first, the second book may be a bit confusing in parts, and most certainly you would miss the significance of many conversations and events. The family is quite large, and it helps to get to know everyone, but more importantly, to know the details of what Abigail and Ryder went through to truly appreciate book two. It is a much more in-depth and enjoyable experience to have followed this family’s ups and downs from book one.

I’d highly recommend the Outback Hearts series. Jezz de Silva has quickly become one of my ‘must read’ authors. 5 stars all the way!

A Choice of Fate by Jezz de Silva
Outback Hearts #2

Brilliant romance that took me to Australia, introduced me to wonderful characters and made me care. I enjoyed reading more about the Outback and felt I was there whether by the magical tree, near the huge pond or on the back of a horse. The small community charmed my heart and the Harper family was one I wouldn’t mind calling my own. I did not read book one with Abi & Ryder but that was fine as this story was perfect in and of itself.

Dr. Olivia Williams has gone to Australia to be maid of honor at her sister Abi’s wedding. She has been interacting with Jarrah Harper, best man, via internet trying to get the wedding duties sorted. Both Olivia and Jarrah have felt something through their interactions but know that with distance, careers and so much going on in their lives nothing more than a holiday romance, if that, is likely. The attraction is mutual and instantaneous though a bit of time is taken before action is taken. The end of the month will come and they both know it BUT they make the most of it for as long as they can. They fall in love but the logistics of a HEA are not easily provided for the two…though they eventually do find a way to be together that was more than satisfying to this reader! I look forward to reading whatever this author writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

we met jarrah harper and olivia williams in against all odds, and now they have their chance to find true love in a choice of fate. both jarrah and olivia are career-driven, compassionate people. they have worked hard to achieve their goals. jarrah is a highly successful lawyer in brisbane, australia. olivia has just completed her fellowship and is ready to start her medical career as the lead neurologist at a los angeles hospital.

when they meet up to go to wingarra, jarrah's hometown in the midst of the australian outback, they don't expect to find themselves torn asunder by their desire for each other and their life goals.

there is absolutely no question that jarrah and olivia are crazy about each other. they are a perfect match in every way. they challenge each other, and lift one another up and knock them down when necessary. the only thing they absolutely need to figure out is how to make the time, the distance and their crazy careers work while loving each other. and even though the solution is made obvious early on, they both struggle to come to terms with what they have to do in order to gain everything they really want. because they've both been traveling a set path for so long, it's really hard to admit that they need to shift gears. but the way the story unfolds allows things to happen organically in a way that really works.

one thing that seems a bit strange is the cover art, because it's made pretty clear that jarrah is of aboriginal descent and is black. and that guy on the cover is just really tan. which, like obviously this is a small thing, but if we're talking about diversity and representation, it seems like a marketing failure.

**a choice of fate will publish on january 29, 2018. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (amara) in exchange for my honest review.

This is a warm and lovely story, about how you meet the love of your life. They meet each other to help their siblings to be married to each other. But can a love blossom between them and can they make a life together.

I really like this book, and you got to meet the family again, because this is book two.

I got this ebook from netgalley to give, a honest opinion. And it’s mine opinion alone.

This is the second in a series featuring the Australian Harper family. While, technically, it doesn't matter what order you read them in, I will say from my own personal experience of having read the first one right before this sequel, I would suggest only this: do not read them back to back or the pleasure of reading will likely be diminished. Why? Because they are so damn similar.

Like it's predecessor, this story is full of many of the same basic premises: steely spined heroine who can fly across the world for 13 hours, chow down greasy food by the pound and still remain incandescently gorgeous, a rugged and charming hero with 8 pack abs and few flaws outside of the prerequisite male stubbornness, witty banter and a hell of a lot of insta-lust mixed in with an equal amount of grown ups who don't know what love is or how to deal with it. Absolutely none of this bothered me the first time I encountered it (which for me was in book 1) but it felt redundant by book 2. Like....does the author know how to build a relationship in a different way? Or write different characters? There is no denying that this book has a pulsating, beating heart at it's core, but the author needs stronger editing to make the passion in her writing more accessible. For instance, she has a tendency to rehash the same scenes over, and over. Particularly the scenes regarding each character's hesitation towards the relationship... you get a LOT on why they're hesitant. But then she rushes over or through scenes such as vital sex scenes, emotional relationship building, and climactic reunions. The story alternates between exciting and disappointing. I'm excited because the ride looks to be promising, the characters are funny, the world is strongly colored- and then the good parts are told in hindsight after they've taken place. Then there's the issues with the ending... like my other complaints the ending to the second was both as predictable and as rushed as I had thought. I'd love to see her next one in the series go into some more detail on the reasoning behind these characters decision to upend their lives, give up their livelihoods, make a 180-degree turn with no explanation, and live on the Outback for the rest of their lives (because, if the next books follow these trajectories, that is exactly how all 5 are ending.) It is expected for Romance to have a certain level of predictability, that is fine, but arcs need not be identical.

Good premise, some real flashes of inspiration- but reading them back to back fell flat because they are just too damn similar with identical gaping holes. Definitely an author I'll keep an eye out for - but with the frank caveat that if her editing doesn't improve than there won't be much worth waiting for.

I received an ARC for an honest review.

Yeah, this book was not for me..Yeah I am not crazy of magical trees. The writing was not bad, It was just that I could not get into it.

This was my first de Silva, though there is a prior book in the series. I enjoyed it for the most part, but found some of it to be confusing. There were also a couple of instances of the heroine being aware of her breasts in a way that read very "guy writing a woman" to me (I've had breasts for 35 years and never once worried they'd bounce out of a bra, for instance).

What I liked: the Outback setting was well-rendered and new to me. I like being able to "visit" new places when I read, so I enjoyed that quite a bit. The hero and heroine had definite chemistry and realistic obstacles to overcome. The large and chaotic family came across as relatable.

What was confusing: beyond even the hero's huge family, there is a cast of THOUSANDS. While I understand the narrative need for this to some extent when you're planning a series, it became overwhelming after a while just trying to keep everyone straight. There was also a bit of what came across as magical realism in the form of a vision and a magical tree that seemed out of place in the rest of the book.

So, overall, a three-star read. I liked it, but didn't love it.

I was provided a free Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review.

**I received a copy of A Choice of Fate by Jezz de Silva from Net Galley in exchange for a honest review**
First off I highly recommend reading the first book Against All Odds as it contains all of Ryder's family and of course Abi who is Olivia Williams sister. A Choice of Fate is the second book in Jezz de Silva's Outback Heart series. I loved this book!! If I could give this more than 5 stars I would and for a guy writing romance, he does a wonderful job at it.

The story picks up with Dr. Olivia Williams (We can call her that now) is bring her wedding gift, 67' Chevy Camaro lovingly restored by her sister, to Australia for Abi & Ryder's nuptials. She has exactly 4 weeks off before starting her dream job at an insane salary in Los Angeles. What she doesn't expect is Jarrah Harper picking her up at her hotel and taking her back to his condo. Nor does she expect to fall in love with him and his family after all she's going back to LA isn't she? When her services as a doctor are required for one of the Harper boys everyone is the small town dusty, Outback town of Baroona. Olivia will have to decide will she stay or leave?

Jarrah Harper a hot shot lawyer with lots of money but is it what he really wants? When he meets Olivia Williams and takes her out to Wingarra for his brother's wedding. But when he helps with the round up and concludes his legal fight with Carter Industries who want the Harper ranch for many reason one of which is water rights. When romance blooms between Olivia will the both make the decision to stay or be miserable living apart.

I can't wait for the next book so please hurry and write it Mr. de Silva.